A Chicago Bull Of A Dilemma: Kobe Bryant Or Pau Gasol?November 12 07 Things are at such a low in Chicago fans have started chanting Kobe, Kobe, Kobe, urging the Bulls to swing a blockbuster trade for Bryant. Should they instead be chanting Pau, Pau, Pau? Some fans, media, and analysts believe Pau Gasol, Memphis’ star forward, would be a better fit in the Windy City.
There’s an argument to be made for both players. So HoopsVibe the Blog decided to take on the assignment. Below is the case for both Bryant and Gasol being the player to turn around Chicago. As always, your job is to read both arguments and then vote on which All-Star would do the best job improving the Bulls. We’ll tally the votes and get at you with the results in a few days.
Remember, this is a hypothetical scenario. Suspend all other factors and focus specifically on who’s best for Chicago: Kobe or Pau?
The Case For Kobe: - Bryant’s the right guy if you believe Chicago has to blow things up and start over. Right now, Bulls GM John Paxson must have concerns with young stars Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, and Kirk Hinrich. But is he ready to pull a Danny Ainge and cash-in his building blocks for a superstar like Bryant?
- Bryant’s the best player in the world. After all, he ‘killed it’ at the FIBA Americas Tournament in Las Vegas. The opportunity to acquire such a talented player doesn’t come around very often.
- There’s something to be said about greatness. Bryant would be the team’s first legit superstar since you know who rode off in the sunset following the 1997-98 season.
The Case Against Kobe: - Bryant is reality television. Cameras, celebrity blogs, and gossip rags follow him like an out-of-control Hollywood star. Do the Bulls really have the stomach for the Kobe circus?
- In two years, Bryant can opt-out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. The Bulls shouldn’t trade for him unless they can ink #24 to an extension, which is no easy task.
The Case For Pau:
- Gasol is the right guy if you believe Chicago only needs to tweak their existing roster. The Bulls, perhaps, see the Spaniard’s low-post scoring as the key to their entire offense.
- Gasol is an excellent player. He’s taken his Grizzlies to the first round of the playoffs and starred for Spain in numerous international tournaments.
- Gasol isn’t as talented as Bryant, but he would cost significantly less. So more would be left over to compete in the Eastern Conference.
The Case Against Pau: - Fair or not, Gasol has a reputation for being soft. The jury’s out on whether he’s actually a franchise stud or just an above average post with nice numbers, long hair, and a bushy beard.
- Like Bryant, Gasol doesn’t come cheap. The forward is scheduled to earn approximately 63 million dollars over the next four seasons.
Who’s best for Chicago: Bryant or Gasol? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.
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Posted by
bulsfan101
on 11.29.2007 | Trade: Gasol for Wallace & Gordan . | Posted by
on 11.16.2007 | I’ll go with Kobe-thanks! . | Posted by
KIWI
on 11.16.2007 | Bigtimekicks.com!_______Use this code during checkout to get $10 further discount for each item:1057249126319632 . | Posted by
on 11.14.2007 | I’ll take Kobe Thanks . | Posted by
on 11.14.2007 | They should not take Kobe leave everybody like this. The reason that the Bulls are playing bad is because thier young stars feel bad about the trade they want to stay in Chicago. . | Posted by
on 11.14.2007 | It would be a terrible mistake to get Kobe Bryant. The Bulls are much better off without him. I think they will get their act together without any trades. They have a good team, they are just having a rough start..........and the trade talks are not helping anything. Pax should leave everything the way it is and let the the team pull out of this slump. . | Posted by
on 11.13.2007 | Odom and Kobe,,,together on the court, HISTORY!!! don’t even go for Kobe he’s fine with the Lakers. Take Gasol . | Posted by
on 11.13.2007 | And Gasol aint a world champ either!!!! . | Posted by
on 11.13.2007 | Kobe costs too much and i don’t think he’ll leave the Lakers this year.+ . | Posted by
indycolts151
on 11.13.2007 | I like Kobe game but I belive he would be a distraction to the team if they start to perform poorly. Pau on the othe hand is a solid low post player who could bring some real value to the team plus he is a team player.MAKE $2,000 - $4,000 A WEEK!Stop worrying about money, http://veryeasymoney2day.com/ . | Posted by
b4hoops.blogspot.com
on 11.13.2007 | What’s good for the Bulls is to trade for Pau Gasol. They have too much young talent to break it all up. It’s not like the Celtics, who were going nowhere with their young talent. The Bulls young team has actually been good, and successful. They need tweaking, more than a full overhaul that a Kobe trade would require. They should be able to get Gasol with a combination of Nocioni, Tyrus Thomas and draft pick(s). . | Posted by
on 11.13.2007 | Kobe Bryant is the absolute best baller in the world! If he must leave the city of angels the only other place for him is Chi-town. Pax would be a fool not to go for Bryant! . | Posted by
on 11.13.2007 | kobe is that nigga who wouldn’t pick him he’s the best . | Posted by
Charon Futrell
on 11.13.2007 | This should be a easy choice for John, if he want his team to reach finals an have a legit chance to win you go with the greatest player alive right now which Kobe. Be serous what can Paul offer this team? Don’t forget if you don’t get KOBE you still have DENG, KIRK,BEN, an WALLACE who has proven that they are growing an getting better as a team. So don’t waist the money on a over paid player go after somebody else if not KOBE. . | Posted by
on 11.13.2007 | I’d take the world champ (Gasol). He actually knows what team play is. Kobe is as good as selfish and self centered. You really need more than that to get the title. . | Posted by
suraj
on 11.13.2007 | take whoever you want Bulls, just don’t take away my KOBE from the LakersLand.Kobe + Healthy Odom + Bynum, the Shaq in making = 3 more titles for Lakers. . | Posted by
ray
on 11.12.2007 | I would Take Gasol cause Kobe is too expensive plus with the way the lakers are playng it doesnt look like hell wanna leave . | Posted by
J-Killer15
on 11.12.2007 | ok have Kobe...but who else. It would be the lakers of the east. Remember its not just money its players. You have to trade at least Deng and Gordon for Kobe, but the what other threat would you have? Hinrich, Wallace, Thomas...uh no. Remember the Bulls act like this every year and then they turn it on in December. Are the Bulls that stupid to give up everything they worked so hard for just to appease fans? Thank god some of us are not GMs cause Kobe would be the first thing on most of our minds. . | Posted by
on 11.12.2007 | Kobe will bring the Bulls closer to the first title since you remember when but if the Bulls want that title just wait until Kobe opts out in LESS THAN 2 YEARS and just sign him. Get Kobe and give up none of your talent...Title Time.Of course I am a Laker guy and hope he changes his mind. . | Posted by
on 11.12.2007 | forget them both...it’s not realistic...pau wont make much of a difference unless he suddenly decides he wants to be a man..and kobe will cost too much...unless paxon can do wut ainge did in boston and collect a bunch of all stars...doubtful . |
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